Last season was a disappointment to all the "Cheeseheads" around the world. The Packers finished the season 10-6 but then suffered a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. Now, it's a new season and the warriors of Lambeau Field are looking to come back as serious contenders in 2017 in the NFC.
This offseason, the Packers have taken steps to bolster the offense around Aaron Rodgers. The following transactions do not include the players who became free agents and left for bigger or better contracts.
January and February's inked and released.
From the first of January, rosters and deals begin to get locked up for the following season. This is due to the business aspect of the game and contract deadlines. Also, do remember that nothing is promised and some guys, unfortunately, don't last very long.
These are the players signed during the months of January and February:
- CB Herb Waters, CB Keith Baxter (subsequently released 12 days later), CB Bene Benwikere, WR Max McCaffrey, C Jacob Flores, LB Reggie Gilbert, WR Anthony Goodley, LB Derrick Mathews, G Lucas Patrick, DT Brian Price, TE Beau Sandland, S Jermaine Whitehead, LS Taybor Pepper
The following guys were released during the same time period:
- DT Michael Pennel, RB James Stark, CB Sam Shields
March and April brings building anticipation
One of the things that die hard fans (like myself) look forward to is the Draft.
It gives us a great look at the new young talent coming into the league. In preparation for that, teams are inviting college prospects for workouts and holding their Pro Days. March and April is a time when teams are getting as many contracts and position needs figured out before the Draft as possible. For the Green Bay Packers, there were a lot more guys staying than going, like Martellus Bennett.
The only player released over that time span was CB Makinton Dorleant.
These are all the guys who signed during the months of March and April:
- P Jacob Schum, T/G Don Barclay, LB Nick Perry, TE Martellus Bennett, TE Lance Kendricks, LB Jayrone Elliott, CB Davon House, LB Jordan Tripp, RB Christine Michael, DT Ricky Jean Francois, G Justin McCray, LS Derek Hart, G Jahari Evans
May and June are the home stretch to training camp
This is the time when the young men who were lucky enough to have their names called during draft weekend begin their journeys as NFL players.
There were a lot of shake ups over this time period, as is true for all the teams around the league. This is what the Packers were doing.
These players were released during the months of May and June:
- RB Don Jackson, RB Christine Michael, WR Antwan Goodley, LS Taybor Pepper, P Jacob Schum, C Jacob Flores, CB David Rivers
The following players signed during this same time period:
- WR DeAngelo Yancy, RB Aaron Jones, G Kofi Amichia, RB Devante Mays, WR Malachi Dupree, CB Donatello Brown, LB Johnathan Calvin, WR Mike Clark, WR Montay Crockett, G Thomas Evans, G Geoff Gray, LB Cody Helman, DT Izaah Lunford, G/T Adam Pankey, TE Aaron Peck, RB Kalif Phillips, CB Lenzy Pipkins, P Justin Vogel, LB Josh Letuligasenoa, CB Rayshawn Pringle, RB William Stanback, LB David Talley, CB Kevin King, S Josh Jones, LB Vince Biegel, WR Colby Pearson, RB Jamaal Williams, T Robert Leff, CB Daquan Holmes
The Packers are not looking for a repeat of last year, it's all or nothing. Ultimately, the big question for the Packers will come when it's time to draft the next quarterback of the Green Bay Packers because Aaron Rodgers won't last forever.
